Dogsled Outfit (1997-2000)

[Cheekadee]

OMG. I loved this outfit so much when I got it as a wee lass. Let me elaborate.

The Good:

* The outfit - Lots. I should probably mention that red is one of my all-time favorite colors. Growing up, this is just the type of outfit I wore on snow-days, though mine was a hand-me-down from my older brothers so it reminds me of my childhood. (Note: This brings up the fact that the snowsuit style is more from the 1980s and for boys, but I don't care). There's a little belt that buckles around the middle, but I forgot to buckle it for the pictures. It closes with lots of little snaps, and there are two pockets on the front that snap shut.

* The Sled - Very high-quality materials. It looks like an actual dogsled, as far as I'm aware, and even has a brake. It's also the perfect size for holding a second doll.

* The dog - cute, and his little harness and booties go on easily. I left the booties in CA, so unfortunately they aren't included in the picture. Oddly, they're purple when everything else is red and black.

The Bad:

* The outfit - Nothin. Well, it may have been outdated for it's time (see above).

* The sled - I kept it in my closet, and either it got bumped or the rubber holding the brake deteriorated because the strip that allows the brake to bounce down broke. I fixed it with tape, though.

* The dog - I'm not sure I'm in love with his expression, and his little tale wire broke almost immediately, making his tail oddly wobbly. Also, I'm sure those little booties get lost immediately when there are less careful children involved.

Grade: A +

The sled in all its glory!

Close-up of the outfit

[Wickfield]

This was the first outfit Ashley ever got, when it came out in 1997. It fit easily on both our PM and Mattel #7 dolls!

The snowsuit - This is a great piece! Cut like coveralls, it is roomy enough to easily get the doll inside. No velcro here, the whole thing goes on with snaps, and there's even an attached belt with a real little clip! Even the pockets have real snaps. The fabric is slick but softer than nylon, somehow, and the wrists and ankles have thick sewn-in elastic. The quality is amazing. A++

The hat - The hat fits well on the doll's head, with a long brim to shade her face and LINED flannel flaps! I really like the checkered fabric they used for this outfit. The hat is very sturdy and the flaps velcro. A+

The mittens - Cuuuute! They are just like the mittens from Terrific Tubing, but thinner and the same flannel fabric used on the hat. They are, again, easy to put on and stay on with elastic. Over ten years later the elastic is still intact. Impressive. A+


The boots - The boots are also identical to those from Terrific Tubing, all in black. The fur is thick and quality, and the soft portion feels like real leather (I'm not sure if it actually is). These require a bit of pushing but nothing horrible, and they look cute. Originally they laced with real laces, but we have long had to substitute yarn. A

The outfit probably works very well for a dogsledding competition (have no knowledge whatsoever on dogsledding), but I know it's terrific for everyday play!

[slou61]

I love this outfit because it's another piece that has a real 1940's feel to it and helps to expand Molly's wardrobe (now Molly can go play with Emily in the snow and not have to wear her rain slicker :
The fabric is a really nice quality, it has a bit of a polished cotton feel but it may be a heavy nylon. It fastens with snaps and not velcro which helps it seem not overly bulky. The little belt buckle in front is a really cute touch.
I love the hat, the red and black buffalo plaid lining is so soft and cute. I have a bit of trouble finagling Molly's braids under it but you can fasten the straps on the top of the hat too (think Elmer Fudd) and it works much better with her braids.
The little red and black plaid mittens are adorable and I love the black fur trimmed boots.

I can't think of a single thing to mark this outfit down for so I'm giving it an A+